Iowa Basketball: Hawkeyes Struggle in Loss to Virginia

The Iowa basketball team knew they had a tall task in front of them on Friday night when they took on the Virginia Cavaliers. Iowa dropped the contest 74-41 in Destin, FL.

This Iowa basketball team will go through some growing pains. Tonight was a great example of that. The Hawkeyes matched up with an experienced and disciplined Virginia team.

The Cavaliers came in ranked seventh in the country and they showed us why right away. They attacked Iowa on offense and were constantly in their face on the defensive side of the ball. Iowa went out to an early 2-0 lead, but the Cavaliers went on an 11-0 run after that and never looked back.

It was a team effort from Tony Bennett's squad as they had four players score in double figures on the night. The Hawkeyes got sped up all night by the Hoos and forced into things they don't normally do. They were trying to play way too fast and that then resulted in some turnovers. They turned it over 18 times on the night.

It was more of the same in the second half as Virginia continued to build their commanding lead.

The Hawkeyes ended the night shooting 30% from the floor and 26% from behind the arc. Virginia does this to just about everyone.

The Hawkeyes tried to play Virginia's style and that just simply isn't their game. They showed that they were a young team that has a lot of learning to do. And learn they will.

As far as scoring goes, Peter Jok led the Hawkeyes with 13 points, while Dom Uhl poured in 9. True freshman Jordan Bohannon scored six points and had four rebounds for Iowa, but he did turn the ball over three times.

For Iowa, this is a big learning curve. You do get better from losses like this because you find out where you're at and what you need to work on. Virginia is one of the top teams in the best conference in college basketball, so getting to see them and play them will make the Hawkeyes better.

Iowa now awaits the loser of Memphis and Providence. That game will tip off on Saturday at 3 pm.